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Goodbye from us!

Posted: 15th January 2024

I’d like to start off by saying sorry. Sorry for keeping a smile on my face when the world around me was caving in. Sorry for trying to have a work/life balance these past couple of years while I got married and started a family, sorry for trying to take a step back to raise my daughter. I know now, running a business like Gymboree needs constant attention which for me was impossible!

I’ve been that “Gymboree Girl” for so long, working 6-7 days a week, not having a day off – going to every event, being here there and everywhere, it was exhausting but what I loved. I’ve re- built the business three times already and let me tell you – it’s hard and it’s tiring, it’s time consuming and doing it alone is tough!

After covid and up until now we have struggled with cash flow – money has been tighter than ever and with less customers – more staff costs, overheads and general maintenance/supplies increasing, we had fallen behind with the rent.

As of Monday 15th January 2024 we have ceased trading at 11 Hatfield Road.

If you have any questions please contact Dave Broadbent/ Christian Thomas and their team who are dealing with this case:

dave.broadbent@btguk.com

01664 796 640

christian.thomas@btguk.com

I have loved every minute of being on-site with you all, the fun we have had – the parties, the events, the laughter and joy we have spread over the past 12 years and I am gutted it has come to this but I’m just not strong enough anymore. I am just a shadow of my former self, half the person I used to be, I am lost and spend the majority of my day crying or worrying about what will happen next – now we know, they will just lock you out and not answer the phone/email you back. All this while looking after a baby is just too much.

I tried, I failed, but all good things have to come to an end – I want you to remember Gymboree Play & Music St Albans for the bubbles, bright colours and songs; todays sadness will fade but the memories will stay forever.

Thank you for everything!

Steph x

Reviews

Both of my children (3.5 years and 11 months) go to Gymboree Play & Music and love it. My toddler goes to their drop-off Lego class which she raves about. It's very creative, working not only on Lego skills but also painting, drawing etc. My infant son loves his Gymboree Play & Music Crawlers class - particularly loves crawling all over their props, through the tunnels, etc. Great way to get the infant crawling over obstacles! Gymboree Play & Music is part of our weekly schedule for both kids and we look forward to participating every week. Invaluable!

Natalia

Gymboree Play & Music was a lovely and positive experience for my son Leo. We started when he was 9 months and he is now 3 years old, I wish we had started sooner.
He loves the songs (which is part of our daily singing at home), the freedom to explore and he was happy there. He looks forward to class every week and once class is over he will tell everyone about Gymbo and what he did.
For me, I liked that it taught him how to get down safely from a height, how to learn to use his body, and touching on different topics every 2 weeks. It gave me confidence in other environments to trust that he has the ability that he learned from Gymboree Play & Music and to trust him.

Sheena

I’ve been taking both my newborn and toddler to Gymboree Play & Music for a couple of months now and both boys are really loving the classes and open gym sessions. It’s a great way to meet other mums, entertain toddlers at witching hour(!) and get ideas for sensory play with babies. Sophie and Cat are fantastic and have so much energy and loads of different ideas for the classes, plus make sure the activities it’s help children meet their development milestones as well. Highly recommend this if you’re thinking about joining!! Thanks so much Sophie, Cat and the wider team :-)

Pippa